Jersey City Public School teachers are the core of our public education system. Not only do the teachers educate our youth during school hours, many teachers go above and beyond in helping students beyond the school day.

You can see this reflected in our schools. Due in no small part to the hard work and dedication of the classroom teachers, the City of Jersey City was able to have local control of the City's schools returned.

Now, with so many positives emanating from the public school system, why are we in February 2018 witnessing daily teacher protests resulting from the failure to settle on a fair contract for the teachers that includes chapter 78 relief?

Jersey City has been greatly transformed by the incredible development that has occurred in the past 30 years. In order to keep Jersey City moving forward for all of its citizens and families, we need to invest in, maintain, and continue to improve a strong public education system. A strong system of public education begins and ends with the classroom teachers..

As a parent of three children in the district, I believe we should cherish and respect our teachers and pay them what they deserve. Please don't complain about noise when you hear them chanting in front of their schools with signs. Parents and community members should join them in the morning and show your support. They have families just like you and me and want to provide for them.

We should be grateful for their hard work in educating our youth. I ask Mayor Fulop, Superintendent Marcia Lyles and our nine member Jersey City Board of Education to settle this contract today.

Without a doubt, Coyle is the best public school administrator in the district. She has the best interest of the students at heart and would have been my choice as the Jersey City Superintendent of Schools.

In fact, Coyle has been a valuable force for change in the district that led the state to relinquish state control. If Governor Murphy is smart, he should make her his Education Commissioner. Then, he will never be pushed around by the NJEA because Coyle is smart, shrewd and, best of all, fearless.

Rev. Alexander M. Santora, HobokenFormer state-appointed and elected member of the Jersey City Board of Education 1989-1996.

Provide health care relief for teachers

Teachers, secretaries and support staff have been working for months without a contract. They have continued to perform their duties.

The issue that continues to be a stumbling block is Chapter 78. This premium sharing plan was part of the Pension Reform Act in 2011. It has been a tremendous burden on the entire staff as premiums continue to rise and it has become impossible for teachers to pay these exorbitant costs. The district has hired an army of lawyers and consultants who readily pick up their checks and drag their feet as the teachers negotiate in good faith.

Mismanagement and poor business practices have led to this situation. To place the burden on teachers is misplaced. All professions from Wall Street executives, politicians, board members and others owe their success to teachers who have guided them along their journey.

It's time to provide healthcare relief to the staff that nurtures and cares for our most precious children in the Jersey City School District. To do any less is unfair and continues the practice of treating our teachers with disrespect.

There are solutions that would surely help the staff and provide relief. Overall morale has been affected as teachers struggle to pay bills as their salaries shrink and take home pay is reduced year after year. Other districts have been proactive and have solved this issue. The longer this drags on, the more difficult it becomes for the staff.

It's time to respect the teachers and staff. Their role in society cannot be diminished. They are our most needed profession. The care of our children is the most important and necessary role in society. I ask that the Jersey City district, board members and lawyers contemplate their roles and provide a fair and equitable contract for the teachers and staff.

It is long overdue!

Perry Cecchini, Jersey City retired teacher

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